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Alternative Options to Tire Chains

Depending on where you live, you may be familiar with how to use tire chains. Quite a while ago, government agencies that oversaw roads cutting through mountain regions required vehicles to use tire chains before proceeding through a mountain pass. Although they increased traction for the type of tire technology at the time, they were cumbersome and inconvenient to install during a storm.

In the 1990s, a new standard was developed to help consumers identify and purchase a tire that offered a higher level of traction in harsh winter conditions. Tires were now to be branded with the mountain/snowflake symbol. In addition to tire chains, winter / snow tires meeting this performance standard are considered traction devices, allowing drivers to get through the passes. Listed below are some light truck/SUV options that are branded with a mountain/snowflake symbol. These tires offer a higher level of winter traction without the requirement of using snow chains.